The Occupational Health and Safety Services of the National Health System in Italy

Abstract

Working conditions have been addressed by laws in Italy since the 1950s, but the revision of the penal sanction laws in 1994 gave greater responsibility to those who had for many years been the de facto “police” of occupational health and safety services, allowing them to carry out inspections and to formulate rules for safety. Current preventive services for OHS within the Italian National Health Service are described, and their main features and developments and perspectives for the near future are situated in relation to ED legislation. There is a growing dichotomy in services between Northern and Southern Italy. The shift towardsderegulation and decentralization of the current Government jeopardizes the prevention system. An efficient service will require a strong information system based on reliable notification; communication, training and assistance; and control and surveillance.

Keywords:

• occupational health and safety
• national health service
• legislation
• prevention
• Italy